Young rapper shot dead outside his home

A rapper gunned down in a drive by shooting outside his home on a Sunday afternoon is the victim of mistaken identity say friends who have described him as the "best guy you are ever likely to
meet".

Umar Tufail, 25, known as rapper Humuh Humz, was shot in the head while he sat in a red Vauxhall Corsa parked by his home on Wharncliffe Road, South Norwood at 4.35pm on Sunday.

Friends of the former Croydon College music technology student said he was the victim of mistaken identity and described him as the "best guy you are ever likely to meet."

Mr Tufail, who worked as a driver for Tesco, was set to release his debut single Let Me Know.

His mother Francesca Thompson posted on his Facebook page: "Love you my son you are my life, your song will live.

"Jesus will not rest baby love there is no rest till they find whoever took you away from your family."

Police launched a murder investigation after Mr Tufail died from his wounds in hospital on Monday at 12.18pm.

Just an hour before the shooting Mr Tufail, who lived with his mother and younger brother and sister, tweeted "nobody’s perfect".

Police, ambulance crews and an air ambulance helicopter were called to the scene and the road was cordoned off, with residents escorted to and from their homes.

Forensic teams continued to work in the area until Tuesday morning.

Michael Jones, 71, who lives on the road said: "A neighbour called me to ask what's going. I came out there was a couple of police cars, the air ambulance helicopter and some ambulances.

"I spoke to my neighbour later and she said she saw a woman screaming and a guy sat in a red car. I've heard he was shot in the head but I don't know for sure."

Lance Prime, 25, a fellow former Croydon College pupil, performed regularly with Mr Tufail as singer Maveriq.

He said: "I know there is the whole violence thing around hip hop, but he wasn’t like that. If you listened to his lyrics, it was always a joke - that’s why he called himself Humuh.

"He wasn’t involved in gangs, I would put my heart on that, my life on that."

He spoke with Mr Tufail three weeks ago to discuss filming a music video together after collaborating on a track called Think Back & Remember last year.

"I got a message on Tuesday morning saying Umar had been killed. I just can’t believe it, he is the last person you would expect."

Courtney Allen, 25, who knew Mr Tufail since they were ten, said: "Umar was the most family orientated man I knew.

"His mum would often joke about how he should move out to which he would always reply ‘never’. He wanted to be close to his family and wanted them close to him.

"He did not have a bad bone in his body and would always go out of his way to take care of the people he loved. I loved him, and I never needed telling that he loved me."

Detective Chief Inspector Lee Watling, said: "Umar was murdered on a Sunday afternoon near to Grangewood Park. There will certainly have been people in the area at the time and I need to hear from
them.

"I am urgently appealing for anyone who witnessed this shooting or saw anything suspicious in the area to call us. I want to hear from anyone who saw a red Vauxhall Corsa being driven in the area
around the time of the shooting."

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8247 4554 or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.